Designated hitter Nate Freiman wielded the big stick for Sacramento on Friday night. With 2 outs, the bases loaded and the River Cats down by 2 runs in the bottom of the 7th, Freiman slugged a grand slam to provide the margin of victory for the Cats. Freiman also notched his 18th double earlier in the game, and he’s now tied for 5th in the PCL in doubles and is 2nd in the league in RBIs with 59. Outfielder Shane Peterson had a pair of hits, while first baseman Daric Barton, outfielder Michael Taylor and third baseman Colin Walsh all drove in runs for the River Cats. Starter Marcus Walden allowed 5 runs over 6 innings of work, while RHP Paul Smyth picked up the win with 1 scoreless inning in relief, and RHP Jeremy McBryde got the final 3 outs for his 4th save. With Sacramento shortstop Andy Parrino promoted to Oakland due to Alberto Callaspo’s paternity leave, infielder Wade Kirkland was reassigned to the River Cats from Stockton.

Starter Drew Granier allowed 7 runs, 2 earned, on 7 hits over 4 innings of work to take his 3rd loss on Friday. Catcher Blake Forsythe and designated hitter Jefry Marte had a pair of hits apiece, while first baseman Miles Head singled in a run, and outfielder Billy Burns doubled, stole third base and came around to score the RockHounds’ only run of the game. Burns currently leads the Texas League with a total of 30 stolen bases, while he’s only been caught twice. Outfielder Josh Whitaker sat out his second straight game after being hit in the head with a pitch in Wednesday’s game.

Starter Seth Streich looked solid once again for Stockton, allowing just 1 hit while striking out 4 over 4 scoreless innings on Friday. His abbreviated outing can be attributed to the fact that Streich is set to appear for the California League All-Stars in this Tuesday’s exhibition match. RHP Jonathan Joseph allowed 1 run in 2 innings of relief to pick up the win, while RHP Austin House got the final 4 outs for his 9th save. Outfielder Billy McKinney had a pair of hits, while catcher Bruce Maxwell and third baseman Renato Nunez each doubled, and shortstop Daniel Robertson and outfielder Bobby Crocker both drove in a run for the Ports. Addison Russell had the night off after going 0 for 9 in his last 3 games.

RHP Dylan Covey turned in a strong complete-game start for the Snappers, allowing 2 runs on 7 hits while walking none and striking out 5 over 9 full innings to earn his 4th win on Friday. Third baseman Luis Baez singled and doubled, while outfielder B.J. Boyd tripled in a run, and outfielder Herschel Powell singled, stole second base and came around to score the winning run on shortstop Melvin Mercedes RBI-single in the bottom of the 8th for Beloit.

The Vermont Lake Monsters dropped their season opener on Friday night in Lowell. Last year’s 33rd-round draft pick for the A’s, RHP Joseph Michaud, drew the opening-night start and allowed 5 runs on 6 hits over 5 innings of work to take the loss. RHP Jon Massad struck out 3 in 2 scoreless innings, while converted outfielder Jesus Rivas gave up 2 runs in 1 inning of relief. Catcher Kyle Wheeler singled, doubled and drove in a run in the top of the 2nd to briefly give Vermont the lead, while first baseman Ryan Huck had a pair of hits and drove in a run in the loss.